Setting apparatus for textile fabrics



H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS 13 Sheets-Sheet l May 17, 1949.

Filed March 6, 1945 May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS l3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1945 Q INVENTOR.

May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS l3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 6. 1945 I'U ENTOR 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 6, 1945 e. 0 0 WV 6 8mm 2 N F 0 a w flu Wm MM ml n\ L" -MAJ 7 k I I? 8/ @g a j WM Mu j 0 b 2 4 m W4 8 a w 2 0, 0 M 4 45 0 a n m w #7 n m 6 m 9 0 Q 9 .,O MQ M/QP fi w 9 i 7 11. 11.13? 7 1 .rlllllhfin nflfilll l I L 4 4*? \L May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS Filed March 6, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS 13 Sheets Sheet 6 Filed March 6, 1945 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS May 17, 1949.

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May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRI May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER 2,470,265

SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS Filed March 6, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 D00 C YL/NDER cnRR/naE CYLINDER 21 5 INVEIYTOR.

May 17, 1949. H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRI 6 n 8 WM W @w w m Y d I flii Filed llarch 6, 1945 Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS Henry Richter, mm, 111.. am... toParamount Textile Machinery 00.,

corporation of Illinois I Application March 6; 1945, Serial No. 581,210

52 Claims.

. 1 This invention relates ting apparatus for textile fabricsand its purpose is to provide improved means for setting and shaping stockings and other fabrics formed by knitting linear condensation polyamide fibres such as those known to the trade as .nylon.

After shaped textile articles, such as hosiery, have been made from nylon yarn, it is important to subject them to a setting operation on forms of the desired shapes in the presence of saturated steam in order to reduce the resiliency of the knitted loops and remove the natural wrinkles of Y the loose fabric, thereby causing the articles to retain the shapes of the forms during subsequent use, washing and the like. The hosiery or other knitted articles may be either dyed or of natural color when subjected to-the presetting treatment and this treatment is carried on at a high temperature, preferably 01' from 240 Fahrenheit to 260 Fahrenheit, for a limited period, and at a to improvements in setpressure above that of the atmosphere, thus necessitating the use of a closed chamber in which the articles are contained during the operation.

Setting apparatus of this type has heretofore been provided in the use 01 which the hosiery or other articles have been placed upon forms mounted in a group on a truck or carriage which has been moved bodily into the chamber into which the steam is introduced after it has been closed. After the desired period of treatment, the carriage has been withdrawn, the articles removed from the forms, another group of untreated articles then placed on the forms, and the setting process then repeated. Apparatus of this type is described and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,309,659, dated February 2,

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved setting process and apparatus according to which a plurality of groups of forms are moved in succession into the treating chamber. thus permitting the heat treatment of articles on one group of forms during the time that articles are being changed on other forms outside of the chamber. Another important object of the invention is to provide a setting process and apparatus in which the operations of moving the forms into the chamber, closing the chamber, introducing steam into the chamber, shutting of! the steam, exhausting the steam from the chamber, opening the chamber, removing the forms from the chamber, and determining the sequence and time durations of these operations, are eflected and controlled automatically by power actu- Kank'akee; -111., a

ated means. Another object of the invention is 1 to provide improved setting apparatus for textile fabrics comprising a steam receiving retort-having an opening, a main carriage movable transversely'to said opening, and a plurality of improved form carriages mounted on said main carriage on parallel tracks for movement alternately or successively into said retort through said opening, each form carriage having mounted thereon a plurality of forms for supporting the textile articles to be treated,-whereby the articles may. be changed on the forms of one form carriage while another form carriage and its article carrying forms is in the retort. Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for treating textile fabrics comprising a. retort having an opening normally closed by a door mounted to swing inwardly, in combination with means for opening the door and moving into said retort forms carrying textile articles, means for closing the door, and means forthen introducing into said retort high pressure steam which acts to maintainthe door in closed position during the treatment of the textile articles. A further object is to provide improved means for mounting a door located within the chamber on hinges having bearings outside the chamber, so that the bearings oi the hinges are not subjected to the action of the steam. Another object is to provide improved power actuated means for moving form supporting carriages into the retort and withdrawing them therefrom. .A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form carriage movable on tracks into a retort and having mounted in parallel relationship for pivotal movement thereon a plurality of forms adapted to carry articles to be treated, the form carriage being tiltable upwardly when withdrawn from the retort for the purpose of locating the forms in positions to permit the articles thereon to be conveniently changed. Another object is to provide a new and improved actuating and controlling system, operated electrically, for controlling and effecting the movement of form carriages into and out of a retort, opening and closing the retort, admitting steam to and exhausting it from the retort, and determining the time relation of these operations. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement, and to 'details of the improved method of setting textile fabrics, which willappear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the improved apparatus of the present invention with the door of the retort in open position and one form carriage entering the retort, while another form carriage mounted on the same main carriage as the int mentioned form carriage is shown tilted to an upright position to permit the changing 01' articles on the hosiery forms which are mounted on this form carriage; I

Fig. 2 shows a front elevation of the retort and the track which supports the main carriage. with the door of the retort in its closed position and with the form carriages, normally mounted on the main carriage, removed;

Fig. 3 shows a top plan view of the main carriage and its supporting track;v

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing an end elevation of the main carriage and a side elevation of one of the form carriages tilted upwardly to permit the changing of articles on the forms carried thereby;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-! of Fig. 23, showing one of the latches for holding a tilting form carriage in its horizontal position as it moves into the retort and, also, a device for releasing that latch as the form carriage approaches its outer position;

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged side elevation of one of the hearings carried by the main carriage for supporting a form carriage-while the form carriage is being tilted upwardly to the position shown in F18. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a vertical sectional view taken on the line l---! of F18. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a horizontal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged side elevation of one of the hook bearing members, with the retaining member thereof in its normal retracted position, so that the bearing member is adapted to receive one of the roller bearing spindles carried by a form carriage at the conclusion of the withdrawal of the form carriage from the retort;

Fig. 10 shows an enlarged side elevation of one of the hook bearing members, similar to the view shown in Fig. 4, with the form carriage tilted upwardly and with the retaining member of the bearing occupying a position where it retains the roller bearing unit of the form carriage in engagement with the hook bearing member;

Fig. 11 shows a detailed sectional view taken on the line ll--ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 shows a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 2, illustrating the mounting of the main carriage upon its track and one of the latch mechanisms by which the main carriage is secured in a position to locate one of the form carriages and its tracks in proper alignment with the opening of the retort/so that this form carriage may be moved from the main carriage onto the supporting tracks within the retort;

Fig. 13 shows an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the main track and one of the means for controlling the latching devices by which the form carriages are locatedin alignment with the retort, looking toward the left as viewed in Fig.

Fig. 14 shows a detailed sectional view taken on the line "-14 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 shows a longitudinal vertical axial section through the retort, illustrating in side elevation one of the form trucks and its forms mounted on the tracks within the retort;

Fig. 16 shows a top plan view of the rear por- I section through the retort illustrated in Figs. 1 and {illustrating a top plan view of one of the form carriages and the actuating mechanism therefor within the retort, the article carrying forms being removed;

Fig. 20 shows a. detailed sectional view taken on the line 20-20 MFR. 19;

Fig. 21 shows a detailed sectional view taken on the line 2l--2l of Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 shows a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 19, illustrating a portionof the carriage moving mechanism within the retort after the form carriage has been released and is moving out of the retort;

Fig. 23 is a sectional view, taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 22, illustrating parts of the mechanism by which the form carriages are moved into and out of the retort;

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional view similar to that of Fig. 22, illustrating the relative positions of the parts when the carriage has been engaged by the actuating mechanism and has been moved into the retort to the full extent of that movement;

Fig. 25 shows a top plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 shows a side elevation of the right-hand side of the settingapparatus as it is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the auxiliary housing removed to show the controlling mechanism by which the operations of opening the door ofthe retort, moving a form carriage into the retort, turning on the steam, shutting off the steam,

opening the door, and moving the form carriagefrom the retort, are controlled;

Fig. 2'7 is a somewhat diagrammtic view showing the circuit connections of the electrical and hydraulic systems for effecting and controlling various operations of th apparatus, including the movements of the form carriages into and out of the retort, the opening and closing of the door of the retort, the admission of steam to the retort and the exhaust or steam therefrom;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the motor driven circuit controller which is embodied in the system shown in Figs. 26 and 27;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view taken on the line 29-29 of Fig. 28; and

tangular opening 30" which is normally closed by a hinged door 33. In front of the retort and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof are a pair of parallel main tracks 34 upon which a main carriage 35 is mounted to travel. The main carriage has mounted thereon two pairs of form carriage track members 36 which extend parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the retort. These track members 38 support two form carriages 31 and their upper edges are located substantially flush with but slightly above the lower edge of the door opening 38" so that. when a pair of track members 36 are p ope positioned with respect to that opening by the movement of the main carriage 35, the form carriage mounted on that pair of track members may be moved therefrom into the chamber 38 of the retort where it is then supported on the retort tracks 33.

Each form carriage 31 has mounted thereon a group of setting forms 40 which, in this instance, are shown as being of the proper shape for the setting of ladies nylon hosiery. These forms are so mounted that they normally extend parallel to the body of the carriage by which they are carried although they are capable of limited pivotal movement away from the carriage for the purpose of permitting the ready removal and replacement of articles of hosiery or the like located thereon. When a form carriage 31 has been withdrawn from the retort 38, a pair of roller bearing trunnions 42 mounted on opposite sides thereof are adapted to travel on auxiliary horizontal track members 44 which are mounted on the main carriage 35, one of the auxiliary track members 44 being mounted adiacent to but at a substantially higher level than each of the track members 36. When a form carriage 31 reaches the limit of its outward movement on the track members 36, the trunnions 42 mounted on that carriage engage normally open hook-shaped bearing members 45 which are located at the outer ends of the auxiliary track-members 44 and the form carriage then tilts upwardly to the position shown at the right of Fig. 1, so that the forms are then readily accessible to the operator who may tilt the forms forwardly on their supports for the purpose of removing previously treated hosiery therefrom and then placing upon the forms other hosiery to be treated.

While a form carriage 31 is being moved into and out of the retort 38, the main carriage 35 is latched in a position which positions the track members 35 for that form carriage in alignment with the retort tracks 33 and, when that form carriage is moved outwardly and tilted upwardly and forwardly, as above described, the main carriage 35 is automatically released so that it may be shifted laterally on its tracks to locate the other form carriage 31 opposite the retort opening 30 with its track members 36 aligning with the retort tracks 39, whereupon the main car- Except for the lateral shifting of the main carposition and has been positioned opposite the reriage is automatically secured in the new position. The form carriage 31 last positioned opposite the opening 30 is then moved into the retort 33 while the form carriage 31 last removed from the retort and then occupying the upwardly tilted position shown in Fig. 1, has the treated hosiery on its forms removed by the operator and replaced by other untreated hosiery. In this way, the form carriages 31 are moved alternately into the retort and the forms 48 of each form carriage are worked upon by the operator while the forms carried by the other form carriage are in the retort. When a form carriage carrying untreated hosiery is tilted downwardly from its upwardly inclined position, it is automatically locked in its horizontal position and remains so secured while it is moved into the retort. When that form carriage is again removed from the retort, it is automatically released as it approaches its outer position on its track members 36 so that it can again be tilted upwardly.

tort opening 38 by the lateral shifting of the main carriage 35, that form carriage is pushed toward the retort by the operator with the result that as the rear portion of the form carriage starts to enter the retort a projecting cam 43 mounted on that carriage engages a starting switch 41 and actuates the electric circuit 43, shown in Figs. 26 and 27, thereby starting the electric motor 43 which drives the controller 53, illustrated in Figs. 27, 28 and 29, by which the several branches of the circuit are closed and opened in proper sequence to eflect the desired operations of the apparatus in correct timed relation. The controller motor 43 operates continuously during each cycle and until the form carriage is ejected from the retort. The movement of the form carriage 31 into the retort is effected by actuating mechanism 52 which is operated at theproper time by the controller 53 through the agency of hydraulic pressure supplied from a tank 58 by a pump 54 and an electric motor 55, shown in Fig. 27, which may be conveniently mounted on a shelf 5| at the rear end of the retort 38. The hydraulic connections are shown in Figs. 26 and 27.

When a form carriage 31 has fully entered the retort, the actuating mechanism 52 is stopped and the controller 58 then operates other hydraulic mechanism which closes the door 33. When the door 33 has been closed, the continuously rotating controller 58 operates through the electric circuit 48 to actuate certain hydraulically operated valve mechanism which admits high pressure high temperature steam to the interior of the retort. The temperature of the steam within the retort is indicated by a thermometer 56 and may preferably be within the range of from 240 F. to 260 F. The pressure of the steam in the supply pipes is indicated by a gauge 51 and the steam pressure within the retort is shown by a gauge 58. Relief valves 53 are mounted adjacent the gauge 58 to relieve the pressure in the retort if it rises above a predetermined maximum.

The pressure of the oil or other fluid in the hydraulic circuit may be shown by a gauge at the rear of the retort.

After the hosiery or other articles on the forms in the retort have been subjected to the action of the steam for a suitable interval, preferably about three minutes if nylon hosiery is being treated, the controller 58 operates to shut oil the steam and connect the interior to an exhaust conduit through which the steam is exhausted. At the end of a brief exhaust period, the controller closes a branch of the circuit 48 which causes the aforesaid mechanism to operate by hydraulic pressure to open the door 33 which then remains open until another form carriage is moved into the retort during the next cycle of operations. As soon as the door 33 is opened, the controller 53 causes the operation 01' the carriage moving mechanism 52 to move the carriage outwardly through the door opening. When this moving mechanism reaches the limit of its travel, which V 7 positions it adjacent the door in readiness for engagement with the next incoming form carcontroller 50 operates to open the circuit of the motor 49 and this motor and the controller 88 then remain at rest until the next cycle of operations is started.

Having set forth the general mode of operation of the apparatus of the present invention, the form of the invention disclosed in the drawings will now be described in greater detail. As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 15 and 19, the retort ll comprises an inner metal shell III of rectangular vertical cross section which is'surrounded byan outer metal shell 82 of the same cross section, the two shells being spaced. apart by thespacing members 88, thus forming a plurality of annular chambers which are occupied by heat insulating .material 84. At the bottom of the retort, the

lower wall of the outer shell 82 is formed in sections, certain of which are made up of metal plates of greater thickness to which the legs ii are secured by the bolts. At the rear end of the retort, the ends of the inner and outer shells 88 and 82, respectively, are closed by an outer end wall 86 and the rear end of the inner shell 88 is closed in a plane located inwardly from the plate 86 by another plate 61, leaving an intervening space which is occupied by heat insulating material 58. At thefront end of the retort, the edges of the inner and outer shells 88 and 62, respectively, are welded to the end member 63. The

' end plate 10, having formed therein the rectangular door opening 38, is secured by studs 88 to this end member 63. The end plate 18 extends inwardly beyond the inner surface of the inner shell 80, thus forming an annular flange around the door opening against which the door 88 is adapted to seat when it is closed.

The door 33 is located entirely on the inside a of the retort and when it is closed, its outer margin seats against the inner surface of the end plate 10, bein preferably provided around this margin with a strip 'll of resilient compressible material, such as rubber, which contacts directly with the plate 18, so that a fluid tight seal is formed and, when steam is introduced into the chamber 38 of .the retort, the steam pressure tends to increase the tightness of the seal between the door and the plate 18. In order to permit this arrangement of the door- 88 which prevents it from being blown out by the high steam pressures which exist within the chamber 88 during the operation of the apparatus, the door is carried by hinged brackets 12 which are located entirely on the outside of the door and the 1'61 tort. Each hinged bracket comprises an arcuate portion I2 which is formed integrally with a transversely extending bar l1" having its outer end united with an arm 12 carried by a hub portion 12 which is pivotally mounted on a bearing member 13 carried by a bracket I4 attached to the end plate ID by studs 15. The bars 12'' of the hinged members are of such length that the arcuate portions 12 which are riveted or other- 8 wisesecuredtothedoorllarepermittedto swing inwardly through the door opening 88" during the process of opening the door. .In this way, the door is mounted upon hinges which are located entirely outside of the retort so that, they are not subject to deterioration'by the action of the high temperature steam within.the retort. One of the bearing members 12, at the right of the apparatus as-illustrated in Pig. 1, has secured thereto or formed integrally therewith a crank arm 18, shown particularly in Fig, 26, which is adapted to be actuated by the hydraulically operated mechanism hereinafter described for the purpose of opening and closing the'door 88. The tracks 84, upon whichthe main carriage 85 is mounted, extend parallel to each other at the front of the retort and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the retort. Both tracks 84 are in the form of flat bars locatedjin' vertical planes and the rear track 84 is secured by intervening brackets 11 .to a parallel rail 18 which is bolted l or otherwise secured to the end plate of the retort and which extends transverselytherefrom to a considerable distance, as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The rear track 84 is thus spaced from the end plate III which extends downwardly below the body of the retort 38 and which has secured to the depending portion thereof, by means of bolts I8, a pair of forwardly extending heavy brackets 88 which are proivded at their forward ends with upturned flanges 88' to which the forward track 84 is secured by bolts 82. In addition, the ends of the forward track 84 are supported by vertically extending rods or struts 88 which extend downwardly and threadedly engage flanged socket members 84 which rest upon the floor 82. By adjusting the rods 88 in the socket members 88, variations inthe elevation of the floor may be compensated for so that the forward track It is rigidly supported at both ends.

Each end spacing bracket I1 through which the rear track 84 is connected to the supporting rail I8 is provided with an upwardly extending lug 'I'l threadedly engaged by the stem of a stop member 85 which carries on its end face a layer of cushioning material 85. The stem of each stop member may be held in adjusted position in its lug 11' by means of a lock nut 88. The stop members 85 atopposite ends of the rear track 34 are directed toward each other and they are adapted to engage the rearportions of the frame of the main carriage 35 at the ends of the movement of this carriage in opposite directions. The forward track 34 is also provided at its ends with stop members which are carried by brackets 88 secured to the ends of the track by bolts or rivets 81. These brackets carry at their upper ends cylinders 88 in each of which there'is slidably mounted a stop member 80 constructed in the form of the elongated piston and provided at its forward end with a cushioning plate or washer 88". Each stop member 98 has a stem 90 which slides in the plug 9| which closes the rear end of the associated cylinder 88 and a coil spring 92 is mounted on each stein 90 between the plug 8i and the stop member 98 which isattached to the stem so that the spring normally tends to move. the stop member 80 out of the cylinder and to a position where the annular shoulder 98 formed thereon engages the end wall of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 2. The two stop members mounted at opposite ends of the forward track member 84 face each other and are adapted to engage parts of the forward portion of the main carriage 85 as this carriage approaches the limits amazes of its travel on the track members 34,- thus cushioning the movement and bringing it gradually to rest at the point where the rear portion thereof engages the stop members 35 which are adjusted to be in the proper location for this purpose.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the main carriage comprises a pair of longitudinal frame members 93 which are connected by the track members 33 through angle-shaped brackets 94 each having one flange bolted to a frame member 93 and another flange bolted to one of the track members 36. The rear frame member 93 carries adjacent its ends depending lugs 93' which are adapted to be engaged by the previously described stop members 35 when the main carriage 35 is at the ends of its path of travel. The forward stop members 90 are adapted to be engaged by the ends of the forward frame member 93 and by the horizontal flanges of two of the brackets 94 which are secured thereon.

' The forward truck frame member 93 is provided with a plurality of pairs of depending ears 93'' between which are rotatably mounted the cylindrical wheels or rollers 95 which are adapted to travel upon the upper surface of the forward track 34, as shown particularly in Fig. 4. The rear frame member 93 of the truck 35 has depending therefrom a plurality of integrally formed ears 93 which carry forwardly projecting trunnions 93 on whichare rotatably mounted grooved rollers 91 adapted to travel upon the rear track 34. The carriage 35 is thus mounted for movement longitudinally of the tracks 34 and is held by the grooved rollers 91 against displacement thereon longitudinally of the axis of the retort.

- The rear frame member 93 of the truck 35 also has secured thereon a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending brackets 90 which have rotatably mounted upon the lower parts thereof cylindrical rollers 99 which are arranged to travel beneath the rear track 34 when the carriage 35 is moved longitudinally of the tracks 34, thus holding the rear part of the carriage 35 against displacement upwardly away from the rear track member 34.

The brackets 93 carried by the rear part of the carriage 35 also serve as guides and supports for the rear portions of locking bars I 00, shown particularly in Figs. -1, 3, 4 and 12, which are adapted to position the main carriage 35 so that a form carriage 31 may be moved therefrom into the retort. ly cylindrical inner end portion I which, is tapered on its opposite sides at its inner end so that it serves as a'wedge or detent adapted to fit between locking plates I02 which are secured to the adjacent track 34 and spaced apart, as shown particularly in Figs. 12 and 14. The locking plates I02.-have opposed inclined faces I02" which are adapted to be engaged by the inclined faces of the extremity I00 of the locking bar and this part I 00 is slidably mounted in the tubular bearing portion 93* of one of the brackets 98 so that it may be reciprocated into and out of engagement with the locking plates I02. Each of the parts I00 is provided with a longitudinal groove or keyway I00 engaged by a set screw I03 so that it is thereby held against rotation during its reciprocatory movements. Each detent I00 has a stem I00 which is threaded at its outer end for engagement with an internally threaded recess formed in the body portion of the adjacent bar I00, being held in adjusted reof the main carriage Each locking bar has a substantial- 10 lation with respect to-the means of lock nuts I04. A threaded plug I05 closes the bore in the tubular portion 93 of the bracket and a coil spring I00 mounted between the plug I05 and the detent portion I00 serves normally to move the latter part into engagement with the locking plates I02. The locking plates have their outer end surfaces I02 tapered forwardly from the surface of the adjacent track so that a detent I00 coming from either direction will ride over these surfaces and into the space between the plates.

When a form carriage 3'! has been withdrawn from the retort 30 and is tilted upwardly as heretofore described, it-is necessary to release the main carriage from the tracks 34 so that it may be moved longitudinally to permit the other form carriage 31 to be passed into the retort and, for this purpose, each of the locking bars I00 is arranged to be opera-ted by means located at the forward side of the carriage 35 and supported by depending brackets I03 having the form shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 12. These brackets are secured to the upper sides of the forward longitudinal truck frame members 93 and each bracket is provided at its lower end with a pair of forwardly projecting ears I03 between which there is pivotally mounted, on a pivot pin I09, a releasing lever IIO adapted to be actuated by a carriage 3? when this carriage is tilted upwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Each lever H0 ,is provided at its upper end with a socket portion H0 having an aperture therethrough which is loosely engaged by the locking bar I 00 and this socket portion H0 is engaged on its outer side by a collar II2 mounted on the locking bar I00 and held in position by lock nuts II 3 which engage the threaded end of the bar I00. The lower portion of each releasing lever H0 is inclined downwardly and forwardly and terminates in a rounded surface II0 adapted to be engaged by a part carried by a form carriage, as hereinafter described, for automatically releasing the detent I00" from the locking plates I02 when a form carriage 31 is tilted upwardly as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 12.

The main carriage 35 also comprises a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending brackets H4 which are secured to the opposite end portions of the forward longitudinal frame member 93 of the main carriage and which are provided at their lower ends with forwardly located vertical faces to which a flat bar H5 s attached by rivets H3 or the like. The bar II5 lies in a vertical plane and serves as a stop for limiting the downward swinging movement of the forward end of one of the form carriages 31 when the form carriage is tilted upwardly to the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The bar II 5 has mounted thereon two cylindrical blocks I", each of which has resiliently mounted therein a stop member II3 arranged to engage a cross frame member of one of the form carriages 37, thus bringing the form carriage resiliently to rest as it approaches body portion I00 by the limit of its movement toward the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4. One of the blocks I I1 is located substantially in the same vertical plane with each of the releasing levers I I0.

In addition to being connected by the track members 36, the front and rear frame members 93 of the main carriage 35 are connected by a pair of angle bars I20 which are secured at their ends by studs I 2| to brackets I22 fixed on the front and rear frame members 93 as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2. 3 and 4. The angle bars ii I20 extend parallel to the track members 3% but are located at a somewhat higher level and are for the purpose of holding down the form car riages 31 during the movement of these iorm carriages into the retort, as hereinafter more fully described.

The auxiliary track members 44, heretofore mentioned, are formed with depending supporting legs 44 each of which is secured to a track member 36 by a bolt I23, a nut I24 and an intervening block I25 having a horizontal flange I26 which projects beneath the adjacent track member 36. The hole in each leg 44 engaged by a bolt I23 is elongated vertically and a set screw I26 threadeclly engages each flange I26 and bears against the lower end of the adjacent leg 44 so that by adjusting the set screws I26 the upper edges of the auxiliary track members may be leveled or given a slight inclination as desired. The set screws I26 are secured in adjusted position by lock nuts I21.

The form carriages 31 are constructed as shown particularly inFigs. l, 4, and 19. Each form carriage comprises a pair of side frame members I30, a pair of end frame members I3i, a central transverse frame member I33 and two intermediate transverse frame members I32, all of which are preferably cast as one integral construction, being formed preferably of aluminum or the like which is light in weight and capable of withstanding the high steam temperatures in the retort without corrosion or rusting. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 15, each side frame member has formed integrally therewith four depending bearing lugs I34, each having secured therein a trunnion I35 upon which is rotatably mounted through intervening roller bearings a grooved roller I36 adapted to straddle and travel upon one of the track members 36 and upon one of the retort tracks 39. In this way each form carriage 31 is always supported by an adequate number of rollers I36 as it passes from a pair of track members 36 to the retort tracks 33 or in the opposite direction.

Each form carriage 31 is adapted to support a plurality of forms 40 which are arranged parallel to each other as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 15. For this purpose, each form carriage carries two supporting brackets or hangers I38 which are secured to the forward portions of the side frame members I30 by studs I39. Each hanger I30 extends outwardly in a plane at right angles to the upper surface of the carriage 31 and comprises a forward leg I38, a rear member I38. The two hangers I38 at opposite sides of the same carriage 31 are connected by a tie rod I40 which has its ends secured in the leg I38 and a connecting the hosiery or other articles to be treated are mounted.

The forms 60 have the construction illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 1'1 and 18. Each form. comprises a tubular part I46, formed of aluminum', stainless steel, or the like, which, in this instance, is of the proper configuration to give the desired shape to ladies nylon hosiery. The body portion I46 is substantially flat in transverse cross section, as shown in Fig. 18, and the opposite walls are spaced apart by intervening members I49. The body portion I46 of each form is mounted upon a rocker arm I60 having a flange I60 against which the end of the body portion is seated and having projections I60 which are embedded in and secured to the base of the body portion. The flange I60 is connected by two legs hangers I38 at the junctures of the forward legs 0 I38 with the connecting members I38. The two hangers I38 are also connected adjacent their rear upper ends by tie rods MI and the rear legs I38 are provided with rearwardly projecting bosses which are connected by tie rods I42. A series of sheet metal dividers I43, having the form shown particularly in Fig. 16, are apertured for engagement by the tie rods I40, MI and I42 and are mounted thereon in spaced relation, be-

ing spaced apart by a series of spacing sleeves I44 mounted on the tie rod I40, a. series of grooved collars I45 mounted on the tie rod HI, and a series of spacing sleeves I46 mounted on the tie rod I42. A unitary supporting structure is thus provided on the forward endv of each form carriage 31 for supporting the forms 40 on which I60 with a curved flange I60 which terminates at the bottom in a reversely bent hook portion l60 The curved flange I60 is united. at its upper end with a forwardly and downwardly curved arm I60 which terminates in a U-shaped bearing portion I60. When the form is placed on a form carriage 31, the rocker arm I60 is inserted between two of the sheet metal dividers I43 with the flange I60 extending between the spacers on the tie rods HI and I42 and with the U-shaped bearing portion "0' engaging one of the spacing sleeves I44 and the tie rod I40. With this arrangement, the form 40 is supported on the hangers I36 with the curved surface I60 at the junction of the flange I60 with the arm I60 resting on the spacing collars I45 and with the U-shaped bearing portions I60 fitting over the sleeves I44. The curved flange I60 which is then concentric with the axis of the tie rod I40 lies in proximity to the spacing sleeves I46 on the tie rod I42 so that, when the forms are in the positions shown in Fig. 15, they are retained against rearward movement by the spacing sleeves I46. To facilitate the movement of the carriage 31 on its tracks, the tie rod I40 also carries a pair of arms I6I which have mounted between them a handle I62.

When the forms 40 are supported on the hangers I38 in the manner described above, they extend rearwardly beyond the rear end 01' the carriage but out of contact therewith, being carried entirely by the brackets I33. when a carriage 31 is withdrawn from the retort and tilted upwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the various forms 40 are capable of being tilted in a forward direction about the spacing sleeves I44 and the tie rod I40 until the hooked portions I60 oi. the rocker arms engage the spacing collars I46 on the tie rod III. In this way, each form 40 may be moved forwardly out of alignment with the others to permit the operator to remove a treated stocking therefrom and to replace it with one which has not been treated. In this operation, the operator preferably stands at the right of the forward end of the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1 and in order that she may observe the condition of the hosiery being applied to the side of the form 40 directed away from her, a mirror I63 is mounted in a slightly inclined position on the main carriage 36 adjacent the left end of that carriage with the face of the mirror directed toward the left-hand sides of the forms 40 as they appear in Fig. 1. The practice in manipulating the forms 40 when removing and replacing hosiery may vary depending upon the character'of the articles being treated. Nylon hosiery which has been dyed is capable of being readily removed from the forms after treatment 13' and, when treating such articles. the operator ordinarily tilts three of the forms forwardly at the same time-and removes the hosiery from all three forms in one operation, after which two of the forms are pushed back to their normal positions and an untreated stocking is placed upon the form which is still in its forward position. The other two forms are then brought forward in succession and untreated stockings are placed thereon. When treating stockings which are undyed, it is ordinarily necessary to tilt the forms forwardly one at a time and to remove the treated article and replace it with an untreated form before the next form of the series, due to the fact that undyed articles contain sizing material which tends to cause them to stick to the forms so that they are less readily removed.

As heretofore mentioned, the form carriages 31-are supported in their upwardly inclined positions by the hooked bearing members 48 which are mounted at the forward ends of the auxiliary" track members 44, being then supported by the ball bearing trunnions 42 which are carried at the sides of the form carriages. This construction is illustrated in Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 1-5, where each form carriage is shown as having a; bracket I55 secured to each of its side frame members I38 by means of studs I58. These bearing brackets are located at or near the middle points of the side frame members I38 and each} one carries at its upper end the ball bearing trunnion 42 which consists of a cylindrical bearing member I51 formed integrally with the bracket I55 and having mounted thereon a ball bearing roller I58 having an outer diameter such that it substantially fits the inner arcuate surface of its hook-shaped bearing member 45 when moved into engagement therewith as shown in Fig. 6. The ball bearing roller I58 is retained on the bearing member I51 by a washer I58 held in place by a screw I58. When a carriage 81 is moved in a forward direction on the tracks 38, the two ball bearing rollers I58 at opposite sides thereof engage and ride up on the downwardly curved surfaces 44 which are formed at the rear ends of the upper edges of the auxiliary track members 44, thus elevating the forward rollers I35 slightly out of contact with the track members 35. The rollers I58 then travel forward on the auxiliary track members 44 until they seat in the hookshaped bearing members 45, whereupon the form carriage 31 and the forms mounted thereon are tilted upwardly, preferably due to their own momentum, to the inclined position shown in Figs. land 4. In this position of the form carriage, the forward rollers I35 of the carriage rest against the outer face of the supporting bar II5 which is suspended from the main carriage 35 asheretofore described, so that the form carriage then occupies a stable position while the operator s working upon the forms.

In order to hold the form carriage 31 against accidental rearward movement after it has been moved to the inclined position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, each hook-shaped bearing member 45 is provided with an arcuate retaining member I5I which is mounted for angular movement in an arcuate recess 45 formed in the inner side face of the hook-shaped bearing member 45, being retained therein by a curved plate I52 which is attached to the side of the bearing 45 by means of screws I53. The inner edge of the retaining member IBI conforms to the curvature of the curved bearing surface of the hooked bearing 45 and it is provided with a laterally projecting lug 1-4 mwhich extends through an arcuate notch I82 formed in the plate I82 and extending through an angle of 90 degrees about the axis of a stud "I.

in Fig. 11. A coil spring I88, mounted in the barrel, coacts at its outer end with a cap member I81 which threadedly engages the end of the barrel and this spring normally forces the rounded end of the plunger I54into engagement with the recess I8I".

When a form carriage 31 is moved forwardly and assumes, the inclined position shown in Figs. 1 and 4, each retaining member I8I is automatically moved, during the tilting of the carriage. from its normal position, shown in Fig. 9, to a position such as that shown in Fig. 10 where the opening of the hook-shaped bearing member 45 is substantially entirely closed by the retaining member I8I. This movement of the retaining member is effected by actuating members I18, one of which is mounted on the outer side face of each bracket I55, being secured thereto by Each actuating member I18 is provided with a circular aperture which is fitted by the enlarged inner end of the adjacent bearing member I51 and this enlarged portion of the actuating member carries two projecting spaced arms I18 which form a slot I18 adapted to receive one of the lugs I5 I carried by the adjacent retaining member I8I. The actuating member I18 is held in fixed position with respect to the carriage 31 upon which it is mounted and the spaced arms I18 thereof extend parallel to the upper edge of the adjacent auxiliary track member 44 as the form carriage moves forwardly thereon. As the ball bearing rollers I58 enter the hook-shaped bearing members 45 at the end of the forward movement of the carriage 31, the arms I18 embrace the lug I8I" which then travels into the slot I18 until it finally occupies the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6. Then, as the form carriage 31 is tilted upwardly and forwardly, the actuating arms I18" turn the retaining member I5I in its guideway so that it extends partially around the adjacent ball hearing roller I58, on the rear side thereof, as shown in Fig. 10, thus securely holding the form carriage 31' at the forward ends of the auxiliary track members 44 during the time that the operator is working upon the forms 48. After the hosiery has been changed on the forms, the operator grasps the handle I52 and tilts the forward end of the form carriage upwardly, whereupon the motion of the retaining members I8I is reversed until, as the form carriage assumes a horizontal position, they are again restored to the positions shown in Fig. 9 so that the form carriage may then be pushed rearwardly by the operator with the rear rollers I35 of the carriage resting upon the track members 35 and with the rollers I58 resting upon the auxiliary track members 44. As that motion continues, the rollers I58 eventually pass out of engagement with the auxiliary track members 44 so that the forward rollers I35 againrest upon the track members 38 as the form;

- carriage continues its movement into the retort.

.In addition to providing the foregoing means 76 for holding the ball bearing trunnions 42 of each; 

